Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 13

SEATTLE - DECEMBER 20:  Running back Derrick Ward #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rushes against Aaron Curry #59 and Darryl Tapp #55 of the Seattle Seahawks on December 20, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Buccaneers defeated the Seahawks 24-7. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The strategy behind DTBWW is that each week you pick up a defense that is playing against a bad offense (preferably at home). And each week you get pretty good numbers out of your DT position.

Last season, my top pick averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game. My second pick averaged 9.1 and my third pick averaged 7.3. On the whole, DTBWW averaged 9.3 fantasy points per game, which equate to DT5 numbers — all for the price of a few waiver wire pickups. In 2008, my top two picks averaged DT6-type numbers. (Note: To calculate fantasy points, I use this scoring system.)

Unlike Defensive Team By Committee (DTBC), which is for those owners who prefer low maintenance teams, DTBWW strategy allows fantasy owners to virtually ignore DTs on draft day and focus on picking up an extra RB/WR flier instead.

To be eligible, defenses have to be available on the waiver wire in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Let’s see how my Week 12 picks fared:

#1 Browns: 3 SK + 1 INT = 4 fantasy points
#2 Colts: 2 SK = 2 fp
#3 Raiders: 3 SK + 1 INT + 1 RET TD = 10 fp

Good grief. The Browns had a subpar day against Jimmy Freaking Clausen while the Colts were a huge disappointment at home, where they’ve been playing very well of late. To be fair, the IND DT didn’t have anything to do with those two pick-six’s that Peyton Manning threw. The Colts DT thrives when it is playing with a lead and that wasn’t the case on Sunday night. The Raiders were mediocre defensively, but Jacoby Ford’s return TD saved the day.

On the season, DTBWW is averaging 7.1 | 8.8 | 6.8 (1st, 2nd, 3rd) for a total of 7.5 fantasy points per game. Oddly enough, my #3 pick is pretty hot, scoring 16, 15 and 10 the last three weeks. Go figure

Let’s take a look at my Week 13 picks keeping in mind that to be eligible, defenses must be available in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues:

#1: Seattle Seahawks (vs. CAR)
Maybe I’m a sucker, but I’m going to the Carolina well yet again. The Seahawks play good defense at home (11.8 fp in home games) and the Panthers are the top matchup for a fantasy defense.

#2: San Diego Chargers (vs. OAK)
The SD DT could have a let down after a big win against the Colts, but they need this game and with Jason Campbell under center (again), the potential is there.

#3: St. Louis Rams (@ ARI)
The Rams have a decent defense, though fantasy-wise they’ve been mediocre of late. This is more about Derek Anderson/Max Hall than anything else. Sam Bradford will likely put the Cards in an early hole and then the feeding frenzy will begin.

Bonus Picks: DET (vs. CHI), MIA (vs. CLE)

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